Monrovia, Liberia – A growing controversy over the procurement of a used bus for the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) Oilers Sports Association has generated calls for accountability, with critics describing the purchase as an unjustifiable misuse of public funds. The debate has placed Amos Tweh, Managing Director of LPRC and current Secretary-General of the ruling Unity Party, under increased public scrutiny.
At the heart of the controversy is a Force Traveller 21-seater bus that was reportedly purchased for US$28,600 despite being sold for as little as US$2,000 in India, where it is primarily used for transporting vegetables. The bus, which was brought into Liberia duty-free, lacks essential safety features such as seat belts, an air conditioner, a radio, and protective safeguards. The General Services Agency (GSA), in its technical assessment, classified it as substandard and unfit for use, further deepening concerns over the legitimacy of the procurement process.
While Tweh has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the decision to procure the bus was made before he assumed office as Managing Director of LPRC, critics argue that he cannot absolve himself of responsibility. They contend that although he may not have authorized the purchase, he was in charge when the payment was made in November 2024 and personally dedicated the vehicle, despite its numerous deficiencies.
Activist Martin Kollie has been at the forefront of exposing what he describes as “an act of corruption” tied to the procurement. According to Kollie, the funds used for the purchase were withdrawn from the LBDI bank account of the LPRC Oilers Sports Association, a public entity financed by state resources. He insists that while Tweh himself is not being accused of corruption, those who orchestrated the purchase under his leadership must be held accountable.
Kollie has also pointed out that the bus was not only overpriced but also refurbished with recycled parts in Liberia before being repainted yellow to create the illusion of a new vehicle. “This is not just about the money spent. It is about deceiving the public, misusing resources, and putting players at risk by providing them with a substandard vehicle,” Kollie stated.
He further revealed that the LPRC bus was not an isolated case, as a similar procurement scandal had surfaced at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MOPT). Three used buses, procured under similar conditions, were also deemed unfit for government use, prompting the minister to return them after public outcry. In total, the LPRC and MOPT bus transactions have resulted in a US$114,000 expenditure on vehicles that have been rejected or are now sitting idle.
“This is a clear case of economic sabotage. If we had not raised this issue, the Minister of Post and Telecommunications would not have admitted to the problem or taken steps to return those rotten buses. So, who will account for the US$28,600 used to buy the LPRC bus? Who will answer for the waste of public funds?” Kollie questioned.
Despite Tweh’s insistence that he was not involved in the original decision to procure the bus, documents reveal that the payment was made during his tenure. Critics argue that his decision to proceed with the transaction rather than halt or investigate it raises serious concerns about his leadership and commitment to financial accountability.
